5 Reasons Greg Fischer Deserves Your Vote for Town Supervisor

Riverhead Patch has asked all the candidates for Town Assessor, Town Board and Supervisor to write up five reasons why they deserve your vote next Tuesday, Nov. 8. In his own words, here is what third-party candidate Greg Fischer wants to say:

1.) I have a "REAL PLAN" for the ECONOMY, making jobs, cutting taxes and improving government service.

a.) a Riverhead Municipal Power Authority (MPA) that will really pay for itself while saving YOU 40 to 50% on electric rates and save government lots of money to (so we can really cut taxes).

b.) a new accounting system so Town Hall will no longer fly blind and keep you in the dark.

c.) "open government" with on-line permitting processes, FULL tax descriptions, and on-line reporting of your government complaints. Non-partisan citizen services and equal protection for all.

d.) real Main Street redevelopment plans with a modest "commercial vacancy tax" to encourage the rental of warehoused commercial properties.

e.) EPCAL/Grumman development plans that will both create top paying jobs and protect the Long Island Water Supply from the pollution at the site.

f.) "recall elections" so you can dump underperformers.

g.) real business management for Riverhead.

h.) the sensitivity to provide an affordable housing plan, a local farmer school food program, a detailed animal shelter privatization plan, and more

In terms of improving government services, for example, this kind of plan also IMPROVES EDUCATION:     

a.) The MPA leaves more money to actually prevent cuts to school programs.

b.) When we learn to "think outside the box" our kids learn the same skill.

c.) Building the ECONOMY and EDUCATION encourages the most qualified and skilled citizens to stay.

Jobs are created because:

a.) Lower electric costs and lower taxes stimulate the economy.

b.) Open government makes it safer for businesses to locate in Riverhead, stay, or expand.

c.) Lower vacancy and major long-run projects seed further economic development.    

Taxes are cut because:   

a.) Major line items are electricity related --- the MPA saves government money too.  

b.) Expensive fuel oil line items can be replaced with low-cost geothermal heating alternatives at half-cost (and then the MPA cuts that electric rate in half again).  

c.) Open Government reduces the cost of taxpayer customer service calls and other government services (through efficiencies created by proper priorities).     

Government Services are improved because:   

a.) Reduced costs mean no more layoffs; as well, saved money can be put into better quality solutions (like concrete roads where there is a choice at all).   

b.) Open Government improves service quality; response times, breath of services and accuracy are improved.   

c.) Taxpayer satisfaction is prosperity driven and the plan has economic development at the core.
 
2. The SKILLS to get the job done: I have the business and management skills our town needs.  With 3 degrees in business and nearly 30 years of experience in strategic business planning consulting and creating systems to make sure the plans are achieved, these are the skills the town wants in a business manager.  Components of the plan above (the MPA, on-line government, recall elections, vacancy tax, etc.) show a creativity that people who are not planning professionals just do not have.  Our town needs to have a supervisor that can independently offer solutions from "outside the box" and not just wait forever for the right offer.  There is Town Hall staff to do the routine administrative work but what has been missing is a major project leader ---- that is experience I can offer.  This also represents a cost savings to our town since persons with my experience command more money then the town pays its supervisor.  I am offering to be the Supervisor because I want to take responsibility for improving the quality of life in Riverhead.
 
3. ACTUALLY DEMONSTRATING REFORM NOW: I have been a demonstration of actual reform.  I have let the thrown "mud" slide off of me like water off the Big Duck's back because the need for government reform is so urgent that there was only time to focus on the issues ---- with a history as a government corruption whistleblower who will not yield to temptation or mediocrity.   The MEDIA has in fact picked up on this shift toward positive and issues driven politics; this questionnaire itself seeks candidates to present positive reasons why citizens should trust the candidate with their vote.  The expression "be the change you wish to see" is powerful.  My goal is to see politics at all levels be positive, issue focused, and driven by the important questions like: what do THE PEOPLE need?

4. INCLUSION OF ALL IS OUR SECRET WEAPON: other candidates have never had you feel included; the effectiveness of a leader blooms when that leader can solicit commitment from citizens and draw from the community.  The key to the best possible government leaders is the same as the key to the best possible business leaders ---- realize that the ideas, energy, and other resources necessary to get plans achieved are out there and available if properly mobilized.  The key is to include the people into a more open government.  I would work with businesses to have them be more successful in Riverhead.  I would be "hands on" to assist and empower the IDA, the BID, and other Riverhead Economic Development agencies.  Thereafter, there are other groups to inspire and empower: --- There are programs in the schools the Supervisor should speak at. --- I would have a more active "Habitat for Humanity" and go out and swing a hammer or turn a wrench myself to help inspire others to volunteer. --- I have created a plan for an economically self-sustaining animal shelter that I would have our town develop and staff with a viable humane organization. --- There are many opportunities to be "inclusive"!
 
5. "OF THE PEOPLE" JUST LIKE YOU: You want to vote for me mostly because I am the long-awaited "grassroots" candidate from "the 99%" who is free, independent, non-conflicted, hard working, hands on, and motivated; I persist by faith, love of family, friends, community, country, and personal bravery to step out and take bold action despite the risks, and I trust my faith and "others" of "the 99%" to support me, and remind me, that more important than personal wealth, a prosperous society, whose government systems would value justice above all, would be the best legacy I could leave my children and America.

It is time for us all to VOTE DIFFERENTLY --- Vote for hard-working, smart, fresh, non-partisan, brave, determined, open, and fiscally responsible candidates! It is YOUR government; this your chance to get Town Hall under control by electing non-conflicted independent candidates who have the courage to put the people's interest first. The Future: besides this RIVERHEAD FIRST agenda, I have used my experience to discover the sources for the loss of America's slipping from #1 to #5 in Economic Power. I have the remediation plans; as a hint, some of the elements are part of the Riverhead First agenda but the greatest part will be a breakthrough improvement in the way we educate children and what we educate them in.  If you give me the privilege of having me put in place the Riverhead First agenda I will later ask you to promote me to higher office so I may rebuild American Economic Power.